Garbett's view on VA: 'I think there's always been trouble with the VA'

VA working to regain trust of veterans it serves

Officials conducted a department wide audit of the VA which included interviews of 3,800 employees and covered 731 facilities. Amid the investigation Albert Garbett spoke about his experiences with the Veterans Affairs facilities and how things have changed.

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Garbett's view on VA: 'I think there's always been trouble with the VA'

The senate unanimously confirmed former Procter & Gamble CEO Robert McDonald is the new Veterans Affairs secretary.His mission is to overhaul a troubled agency plagued by long wait times and the scandal to cover up those delays.McDonald is replacing Acting VA Secretary Sloan Gibson, who took over in May.Now the department must regain the trust of the veterans it serves.Albert Garbett, 71, has been dealing with the Veterans Administration for more than 40 years.The former army medic served in Vietnam. He'll never forget January 1968, only six months in to his tour overseas.“That night something that blew the wall out of the bunker I was in and this is the result. The guy with me lost both legs below the knee,” he said.His initial experience with the VA was not good. He said it was poorly organized.A newly released audit looks into allegations of inappropriate scheduling practices, delays and information being manipulated.Several locations required further review, including the Cincinnati facility.The investigation of the VA has identified 100,000 veterans currently experiencing long wait times. Garbett admits his experience has been mixed over the years but actually much improved in recent years.“I think there's always been trouble with the VA. I think it's too big of a bureaucracy and when you get that, you get problems” Garbett said.It appears the VA understands this is not going to be a quick-fix to regain the full confidence of veterans.The buck will stop at the top. It says senior leaders will be held accountable if recommendations are not carried out.The audit was conducted between May 12 and June 3.

CINCINNATI —

The senate unanimously confirmed former Procter & Gamble CEO Robert McDonald is the new Veterans Affairs secretary.

His mission is to overhaul a troubled agency plagued by long wait times and the scandal to cover up those delays.

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McDonald is replacing Acting VA Secretary Sloan Gibson, who took over in May.

Now the department must regain the trust of the veterans it serves.

Albert Garbett, 71, has been dealing with the Veterans Administration for more than 40 years.

The former army medic served in Vietnam. He'll never forget January 1968, only six months in to his tour overseas.

“That night something that blew the wall out of the bunker I was in and this is the result. The guy with me lost both legs below the knee,” he said.

His initial experience with the VA was not good. He said it was poorly organized.

A newly released audit looks into allegations of inappropriate scheduling practices, delays and information being manipulated.

Several locations required further review, including the Cincinnati facility.

The investigation of the VA has identified 100,000 veterans currently experiencing long wait times. Garbett admits his experience has been mixed over the years but actually much improved in recent years.

“I think there's always been trouble with the VA. I think it's too big of a bureaucracy and when you get that, you get problems” Garbett said.

It appears the VA understands this is not going to be a quick-fix to regain the full confidence of veterans.

The buck will stop at the top. It says senior leaders will be held accountable if recommendations are not carried out.